Facing any new parenting situation for the first time can be tough, something this accounting firm recognizes with its Parents in the Know initiative (available in Boston and New York City). No matter what stage of life an employee is in—having a baby, adopting, returning to work—she can be put in touch with a colleague who has been through it and can offer advice. To help parents in Kansas City, the firm’s women’s network just debuted a Working Parents group (joining similar ones in other locations), which hosts social outings and informative lectures. Across the firm, parents attend seminars on nutrition for young children and learn how to help kids do well in school. While women earned half of all promotions to manager, senior manager and executive last year, the growth of virtual meetings means they don’t have to stay in the office to be considered top performers.

Chairman & CEO John Veihmeyer

Vice Chair, HR Bruce Pfau

Women managers/execs 38% 

Women among top earners 33% 

Women hires in 2010 46% 

Average weeks of fully paid maternity leave offered 9 

Allows new moms to “phase back” into work with reduced hours? Yes

Offers affinity group for new mothers? No

Offers backup childcare? Yes

Employees working flexibly 100%